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The Horse Trust makes urgent appeal for horse homes

The Horse Trust urgently needs more homes for retired horses in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Since launching its re-homing scheme in October, the charity has been inundated with requests from people who can no longer look after their horse. However, few people have come forward to offer new homes for these horses.

One horse owner who’s desperate to find a home for her horse is Ann Suaznabar, 59, from Kemsing, Sevenoaks. She has had her horse Cocky, a 14.3hh grey gelding for 10 years, but can no longer look after him for financial reasons. If she’s unable to find a home for him soon, her only alternative is euthanasia.

"I'm paying for his livery at the moment, but can't afford to do that for more than a few months. He's getting old now and needs a stable home. My only alternative is to have him put to sleep, which I really don't want to do," Ann says. “Cocky, who is 27-years-old, would be a good companion horse for someone who has their own land. He’s a very adaptable horse and is a real gentleman. Cocky is in good health, but can no longer be ridden. He needs a careful feeding regime as he has few molars.” "We desperately need more homes for horses like Cocky," Liane Crowther, Welfare and Education Officer at The Horse Trust says. Due to limited resources, The Horse Trust is primarily looking for homes within a 50 mile radius of the sanctuary, including the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. All horses and potential homes are visited to assess their suitability and the charity will regularly visit the re-homed horse to ensure it’s receiving an appropriate standard of care.

To offer a home to Cocky or another retired horse, contact The Horse Trust on 01494 488 464 or info@horsetrust.org.uk